Station-indicator.



Patented ont. 2, |900.

L. J. HUNTER.

STATION INDICATOR. (Application lelJ'uly 15, 1899.-)

2 Sheets-Sheet l.

(No Model.)

/ lINIIJNfDEPIITI TH: Nonms Pneus co, PNoTcruYHo., wAmmoToN. u. z:4

No. 658,778. Patented Oct. 2, |900.

L. J. HUNTER.

STATION INDICATOR.

(Application led July 15, 1899.)

(No Modal.)

mams Firms co. PHnrg-L|Tnm WASHINGTON, u. c.

UNITED "STATES PATENT OFFTCE.

LYTLE J HUNTER, OF COVINGTON, KENTUCKY.

STATION-INDICATOR.

sPEcIsicAmroN forming part f Letters Patent No. 653,778, dated october'2, 1900. Application filed July 15j 189g. Serial No. 723,970. (No modelJTo all whom it may concer-n:

Be it known that I, LYTLE J. HUNTER, a citizen of the United States, anda resident of the city of Covington, in the county of Kenton and Stateof Kentucky, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inStation-In'- dicators, of which the following is a specication.

This invention has for its objects the im-v provement of certainimportant features of construction. These last-named features are shownand described inLetters-Patent of the United StatesNo. 610,271, datedSeptember 6, 1898, granted to myself and one William F. Peters, as jointinvent-ors, and of which Letters Patent I am the sole owner.

The several features of my present invention and the various advantagesresulting from their use conjoiutly or otherwise will be apparent fromthe following description and claims.

In the accompanying drawings, making a part of this specification, andin which simi-J -lar letters of reference indicate correspond-` ingparts, Figure l, Sheet 1, representsin perspective a portion of the carroof or deck, together with a station-indicator `made according tomyinvention applied thereto. Fig. 2, same sheet, is a view of thatportion of the indicator which-is at the left hand in Fig. l, this Viewbeing partly in elevation and partly in section. Fig. 3 is an elevationof that end of the indicator which is at the left hand in Fig. 1 andwhich Ais above the car-roof. Fig. 4, same sheet, represents atransverse vertical section taken near the mid-length of the indicatorand to the left of the electric lamp of the indicator, that face of thesection being shown which faces toward the left of the spectator whenthe latter is in front of the indicator. Fig. 5, same sheet, is a viewin perspective of a portion of a detail of the inclosing supports. Fig.6, Sheet 2, is a view in perspective of the lamp chamber and reiector.Fig. 7, same sheet, is a perspective view of the removable roof. Fig. 8,same sheet, is a perspective view of the larger (upper) portions of thestation-indicator, the front glass being partially removed and brokenoff and a portion of the lightfdiffusing device being broken away thebetter to dis` 'station-indicator is located there.

close the parts within the indicator. Fig. 9, same sheet, is a View ofthe upper portion of that end of the indicator which is at the righthand in Figs. 1 and 8. Fig. l0, same sheet, is a view, partly inelevation and partly in section, of a portion of the shaft for operatingthe indicator and of the sleeve and the mechanism for locking the shaft.

I will now describe my invention in detail. A indicates the usual cardeck or root'. My Usually there is in the roof a central raised portionA2, and in such event the indicator is preferably located onthe first ormain deck A and in front of the end of the raised deck A2.

B indicates the upper portion of the end of a car, and C an upperport-ion of the side of the car.

No special constructionvof the car itself is necessary for theapplication of my invention. The ca r may therefore be varied at will.All that is necessary for the use of my invention is a roof and theproper framework to support it.

Referring to my station-indicator, D indicates the base. -Each side edgeof this base is bent up, forming a iange D2. (See Fig. 4.) There arevertical end pieces E E2, piece E at the left-hand end of the indicatorand piece E2 at the right-hand end of the indicator. These ends haveanges E3 near each edge. Each of the ends is secured to the bottom D bybolts or screws E5, respectively,

p passed through the holes E4 in the tiange D2 and into or through theflangeE2. Each edge `of each end projects beyond the adjacent flangeE2,forming a projection E6. The latter keeps the roof-cap Gr and theflange D2 far enough away to enable the glass F to be admitted betweenthe flange B2 below and the roof-cap G above on the one hand and theiiange E3 on the other hand.

The back portion of the indicator forms an illuminating-chamber H. Theback H2 of this chamber interiorly, at least, is curved, and for economyof construction it is altogether curved. H4 indicates the bottom and H3the top of the chamber H. The front is open, but at the ends, top, andbottom is provided with a flange H5 for enabling it to be readilysecured to the front portion (already described) of the indicator. Thusthe bottom part ll4 of the flange fits over the back one of the anges D2of the bottom D, and the top flange H5 fits under the cap G and the endflanges H5 H5, respectively, fit flat against the adjacent flanges E3 ofthe end pieces E E2. The arched cap G not only fits over the upperfiange H5 of the back, but it also arches over the indicator and lopsover in front of the front projections E6 and flanges E3 of the ends E.Suitable bolts or screws, as G2, serve to hold the cap to the ends andback, substantially as shown. Thus the entire structure is compactlyheld together` In the front chamber of the indicator is located thetraveling indicator-strip J, rolled upon two parallel rollers K and L,dulyjournaled in the ends of the indicator. The upper one, K, of theserollers carries within it a spring, which is secured at one end to theroller and at the other end t0 an axle or fixed journal of this roller,(in any well-known manner,) so that the spring always tends, whenpermitted, to wind the indicator-strip J upon roller K and to alwayskeep the indicator-strip taut between the rollers. lower roller L isprovided at one end with a bevel gear-wheel M, operated as hereinafterdescribed.

The light is located in the illuminatingchamber. This light ispreferably an electric (incandescent) one T, as shown, set at the middleof the chamber, the electric wires (conductors) coming through theopening H in the bottom of the chamber H. In the roof of the chamber I-Iand directly over the lamp is located an opening H7, closed by ascrewcap H5. Through this opening the lamp can be reached for repair,&c.The cap H8 is readily removed and replaced.

A very advantageous and important device is a light-diffuser T2. Thisconsists of a sheet of metal containing perforations T3, located infront of the lamp and extending a short distance to each side of themid-length of the sign. The lower end of the sheet being bent aroundforward beneath the roller -L is brought up to the front portion of thebottom D, substantially as shown, and is there preferably fastened. Thebevel-gear M engages a horizontal bevel gear-wheel N, connected to ashaft N2, rotating within a fixed sleeve P, whose lower end ispreferably enlarged and contains in its bottom edge notches P2. Thelowerend portion of this shaft N2is within a sleeve Q and is at itslower terminus provided with a square head Q2, which litsv closely theangular passage in the sleeve Q. Within the sleeve and resting on theupper edge of the head Q2 is a spiral spring Q5, whose upper end bearsagainst an interior abutment of this lower sleeve Q. Thus compressed itcontinually holds the lower sleeve Q'against the upper sleeve P. Theupper part of the lower sleeve Q has one or more The teeth or fingersQ2, preferably locatedon a disk Q4 and adapted to respectively engagenotches P2 of the sleeve P.

The indicator-strip J will contain the names of stations (terminals) atwhich the car is to stop. The operator of the car sets theindicator-strip so as to exhibit to View at the front of the indicator astation at which the car will stop. This he does by drawing down the rodQ, thus withdrawing the finger Q2 from a notch P2 and rotating the rodin the desired direction until the name of the proper station has beenexposed to View. I-Ie then allows the spring Q5 to lift the rod andcause the finger Q3 to enter the notch P2, which is adjacent to thefinger. The station-name is thus set. y

I haveprovided very convenient means for supporting the gear-wheel N andits accompanying shaft N2-to wit, a piece R receives the shaft N2 anddirectly supports the latter by upholding the bevel-gear N. This piece Rcontains side flanges R2, one on each side of the gear-wheel, and theseanges each carry a perforated lug or eye R3, whereby connection can bemade with the roof. The piece R isalso bracketed to the indicator-caseby a bracket strip or piece R4. The flange R5 of thisstrip permits itslower end to be securely bolted to the piece R by a bolt R5, as shown.This ange R5 preferably fits in behind a shoulder R7 on the piece R. Theupper end of this bracket piece or stri p R'1 carries a hook R8, havingadouble curve-viz., inthe form of an ogee curve-and before the flange R5is secured to the piece R the hook is inserted in the slot E7 in the endE of the-case, and the brace R4 is then secured to the piece R. In thisway the bracket-piece R4-securely binds in a simple and effective mannerthe piece R to the indicator-case. The sleeve P is secured to the pieceR preferably by a setscrew P5.

As heretofore mentioned, the. front of the indicator is provided withthe glass F, and this glass is'slid in substantially as indicated inFig. 8 and is yheld at the ends by the adjacent flange E2 and the flangeD2, projection E5, and the edge of cap G above. The glass is preventedfrom sliding out at the front of the right-hand end of the case (whereno projection EG is admissible) by means of a locking-latch F2, pivotedat F2 to the case and when allowed to drop taking the position shown inFig. 9.

When rain falls, there may some of it run between the glass F and thelower flange D2. In such event some water will collect upon the insideof the bottom of the casing, and unless it could be discharged thebottom part of the casing would fill with water and wet and soil theindicator-strip. I therefore provide a discharge-channel S, whereby thewater is conveyed off. It is to be noted that I purposely bring thelower roller and the indica- IOO tor-strip thereon near to the bottomfor the sake of economizing room.

My improvements are economical of cost and advantageous in results.

What I claim as new and of my invention, and desire to secure by LettersPatent, is-

1. In a station-indicator, acasing having a bottom D provided with sideiianges D2, and the ends E having liange E8 and projection E6, and capG, and glass F, and a locking-detent for keeping the glass fromslidingout of place, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

2. In a station-indicator casing, the bottom D having flanges D2, ends Ehaving flanges E3, glass F, cap G, and rear illuminating-chamber havingopen front provided with anges H5, engaging the adjacent flange D2 andcap G, substantially as and for the purposes specied.

3. In the casing of a station-indicator, the bottom D provided with sideiianges D2, and the transverse glitter S, ends E E2 having anges E3 andglass F, whose ends are located between the ianges E3 and aflange D2,and the cap G, lapping the glass and flange E3, substantially as and forthe purposes specified.

4. In a station-indicator,a casing containing an indicator-strip andhaving rollers, and ends wherein the rollers are journaled, a beveledgear on one of the rollers, a horizontal beveled gear outside of thecasing and meshing with the first-named gear, a vertical shaft connectedto the horizontal gear, a piece R for supporting the latter gear, and abracketpiece R4 having a double-curved hook engaging a slot in/the endof the casing and connected at bottom to the piece R, and means forrotating the shaft of the horizontal gear, and holding it at a givenpoint of rotation, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

5. In a station-indicator, a casing containing an indicator-str-ip andhaving rollers, and ends wherein the rollers are journaled, a beveledgear on one of the rollers, a horizontal beveled gear out-side of thecasing, and meshing with the first-named gear, a vertical shaftconnected to the horizontal gear, a piece R for supporting the lat-tergear, and a bracket-piece R4 having a double-curved hook engaging a Yslot in the end of the casing and connected at bottom to the piece R,the piece R having the side flanges R2, and the eye-flanges R2, the sideflanges R2 and the bracket-piece R4 together covering the horizontalgear-Wheel,and contributing to the support thereof, cap G having eyes G2and means for rotating the shaft of the horizontal gear, and holding itat a given point of rotation, substantially as andl for the purposesspecified.

6. In a station-indicator, a casing, rollers therein, an indicator-stripconnected with the rollers, ends of casing, a vertical beveled gear onone of therollers, within the casing, a horizontal beveled gear engagingthe first-named gear, vertical shaft connected to the lastnamed gear, asleeve embracing 'said shaft, a bracket-piece R for directly supportingthe horizontal gear and its shaft and in turn hung from the casing o'fthe indicatoig'the sleeve having its upper end connected to the piece R,and extending down, and provided at its lower end with notches, a sleeveQ located on the shaft below the first-named sleeve, and capable ofreciprocatingwith the length of the shaft and constructed to compel theshaft to rotate with it, this sleeve Q having a finger rigidly connectedthereto for engaging a given notch on the upper sleeve, and elasticmeans for elevating the sleeve Q and elastically pressing it toward theupper sleeve, substantially as and for the purposes specilied.

7. A casing for car-indicators comprising end portions'having flanges, abottom portion and a cap connected to and extending between said endportions at bottom and top of the casing, this bottom and this top beingalso provided with flanges spaced away from the flanges of the endportions, spaces being formed between the flanges of said end portionson one side and the flanges of the cap and bottom portion on the otherside, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

8. A casing for car-indicators comprising end portions having lianges, abottom portion and a cap connected to and extending between said endportions at bottom and top of the casing and also provided with iangesspaced away from the flanges of the end portions', and a back portionformed with an illuminating-chamber and having its edges held betweenthe flanges of the end portions on one side and the Iianges of the capand bottom portion on the other side, substantially as and for thepurposes specified.

9. In a car-indicator, the combination of a casing having an end portionformed with an opening leading to the inside of the casing, and with aprojection exterior to the casing, a shaft mounted to turn in thecasing, a gearwheel on said shaft, an operating-shaft outside of thecasing having its end journaled in the exterior projection of the endportion of the casing,a gear-Wheel on said operatingshaft with one sideof its periphery extended through the opening in the end portion of thecasing and in mesh with the gear-wheel on IOO IIO

IIS

the shaft inside the casing, and acover-plate extended over thegear-wheel on the operating-shaft, substantially as and for the purposesspecified.

10. In a car-indicator, the combination of a casing comprising endportions, a bottom portion, and a cap, a transparent sign held in thecasing, a back portion for the casing secured to the back part of thecasing and cut away upon its front side, and an illuminating device insaid back portion, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

ll. In a car-indicator, the combination of a casing, a shaft therein, asign-curtain carried by the shaft, a projection on the casing,

esente against rotative movement in the sleeve, and ro a spring forholding said devices normally in engagement, substantially as and forthe purposes speeiied.

LYTLE J. HUNTER.

Attesti PAUL V. SCHNEIDER, K. SMITH.

